Erik Larson

Wow! I am very honored and humbled to be selected as Athlete of the Month! There are so many amazing athletes that are well deserving of this recognition at CrossFit Loop!!

A little background about me…

I grew up in a small town in Upper Michigan, always active in sports. I played soccer, baseball, track and field, football, snow ski raced, and water skied growing up. Thankfully I had awesome parents to haul me around 24/7!!

When I was 21, I water skied professionally for two years performing in a stunt show in New Jersey. I would live there in the summer, and go back to school in the fall – rough life!!

After school I moved to Colorado, accepting a job in Engineering, which I still currently hold.

For most of my mid to late 20’s I was a weekend warrior – skiing, motocross, and water skiing, I never really had an exercise regimen.

I had a motocross accident in August of 2014, during which I crushed my L1 vertebrae. That was a life changing event for me. I am very fortunate that it was not worse than it was. I was in a brace for about 6 weeks, and then told to let it heal for the next 6 months. That meant to literally do nothing - which was super hard for me, I do not sit still very well. That said, I had a lot of time to reflect and think about my health and fitness. I was 30 years old, not in the very good shape, but I wanted to continue to live an active lifestyle doing the things I love. I made up my mind that I was going to change my eating/drinking habits, and dedicate my lifestyle to getting back into fitness and being healthy!

May 1st, 2015 I walked into the gym for the first time since my accident. From that day forward I have been dedicated to my new lifestyle. I enjoyed the regular gym for quite a while, it was a great way to build a solid, strong base, and create new, healthy habits. I was lacking a few things though – flexibility, cardiovascular health and basic functional fitness. I was also getting pretty bored with my routine and really needed a change. I had heard about CrossFit, it didn’t seem very interesting to me. I was a member of a gym that had a CrossFit part in the same building – the people and the atmosphere weren’t very welcoming. Eventually I had a friend talk me into trying CrossFit Loop, told me it was awesome and totally different than what I have seen and heard. It took me quite a while to give in and try, but man am I glad I did!! The first person I met was Korby, and he was so energetic, welcoming and passionate! I did a WOD, totally got smoked, but loved it! I came back the next day, signed up for a membership and never looked back! CrossFit and CrossFit Loop have been a game changer for me! It has taken my fitness to a whole new level! The Loop has given me some great new friends, whom I consider family, and it is also where I met my beautiful wife, Paola! I recently competed in my first CrossFit Open, which I felt went pretty well, and I also completed my first half-marathon! I never thought I would ever run a half-marathon…special thanks to my wife for that!!

Everyone at the Loop has been super awesome!! The owners, coaches, and athletes have always been very friendly, passionate about CrossFit/fitness, family oriented, and are always cheering each other on! Thanks everyone for the support!!